A41649:149
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the…
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadful condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and persuading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to householders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshua's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadfull condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to housholders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshuah's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.
London: printed for George Sawbridge, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Ah sinner, I beseech thee for the sake of thy precious and immortal soul, to stir up in thy self an hearty desire, and sincere endeavour after this blessed work.1 As it is the one thing necessary to salvation, so let it be the main thing ⟨p. 29⟩of thy desire and endeavour. There is nothing deserves precedency in thy thoughts, aims, and labours before this.2 David resolved not to give sleep to his eyes, nor slumber to his eye-lids, till be found out an habitation for the Lord. The habitation which pleaseth God most, is thine heart, but it must be a renewed heart. Oh how darest thou sleep a night in that house, where God doth not dwell? and he dwells not in thee, unless thou beest Regenerated by his holy Spirit. In the fear of God therefore, see thou give no rest to thy soul, no ease to thy mind, till thou find a blessed change wrought in thee, till thou findest thou art brought out of the state of nature, into the state of grace. Neither sit down satisfied in the enjoyment of any worldly comfort, without the enjoyment of this mercy. And indeed how canst thou live merrily or sleep quietly, so long as thou livest in thine unregenerate estate? in which if thou shouldest die, thou wouldest perish for ever, even to all Eternity. Especially considering the uncertainty of thy life, whether thou shalt live a day, or an hour longer.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 2Psal. 132.4.
For the more profitable handling this Use, I shall, 1. Give you some Motives to quicken up your desires and endeavours after the work of Regeneration. 2. Show you the Means to be performed for the better attaining thereunto.